Otto Addo, the scout coach for Dortmund and the head coach of the Ghana National team Black Stars has named a 33 man shortlist for the African Cup of Nations qualifiers and a four Nation Tournament in Japan next month.
The former Ghanaian International was appointed as the Head coach of the Black Stars early this year to lead the team in their legs World Cup qualifiers against their fiercest rivals, Nigeria. Addo impressed everyone by qualifying ahead of Nigeria to secure a World Cup slot for the country in 2014. This has led to the Ghana Football Association confirming him as the coach to take the Black Stars to the Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022 in November.
However, the country is also looking ahead to qualify for next year’s Africa Cup Nation. Ghana has a double header games against Madagascar and Central African Republic next month for their Africa Cup Of Nations qualifiers and further compete in a four Nation Tournament in Japan as part of the preparation for the Mundial. The German based coach on Thursday 26th May, announced a 33 man squad for these games.
Captain Andre Ayew, Mubarak Wakaso and Abdul Baba Rahman all return to the squad. However, Thomas Partey who plays for Arsenal is missing from the squad due to an injury he picked up during the season with Arsenal.
DANIEL AFRIYIE AND AUGUSTINE OKRAH INVITED TO THE BLACK STARS
Daniel Afriyie of Hearts Of Oak and Augustine Okrah of Bechem United have both been named in the 33 man squad list of the Black Stars.
Daniel Afriyie who won the WAFU under 20 championship, the Ghana Premier League and the FA Cup has been called for the second time to the Black Stars. The Hearts Of Oak striker has been involved in 17 goals in all this season. Afriyie has scored 10 goals and has provided 7 assists for his club this season. He is the former captain of Ghana’s National Under 20 side.
Augustine Okrah, former Kumasi Asante Kotoko winger who currently plays for Bechem United in the Ghana Premier league has got his maiden call up to the Black Stars. Okrah this season has been very exciting to watch and, his performance has helped his side to get to the MTN FA Cup finals. The midfielder has netted over 10 goals in all competitions this season and has provided over 5 assists for his club.
Meanwhile, Braydon Manu, who famously said he didn’t deserve a call up to the Black Stars when he first got it has been given another chance another chance. Alidu Seidu, a right back who has had a great season in France, has got a first call up to the Black Stars. Bristol City striker Antoine Semenyo, has got a second call up although he couldn’t show up for the first due to an injury.
BELOW IS THE FULL SQUAD LIST
GOALKEEPERS
JOSEPH WOLLACOTT SWINDON TOWN ABDUL MANAF NURUDEEN – KAS EUPEN
LAWRENCE ATI ZIGI – FC ST. GALLEN RICHARD OFORI ORLANDO PIRATES
DEFENDERS
DENIS ODOI – FC BRÜGGE
ALIDU SEIDU – CLERMONT FOOT GIDEON MENSAH GIRONDINS BORDEAUX
ABDUL RAHMAN BABA – FC READING
ABDUL MUMIN VITORIA GUIMARAES DANIEL AMARTEY LEICESTER CITY
JOSEPH AIDOO CELTA VIGO JONATHAN MENSAH – COLUMBUS CREW
MIDFIELDERS
– IDDRISU BABA RCD MALLORCA
EDMUND ADDO – FC SHERIFF
ELISHA OWUSU KAA GENT MOHAMMED KUDUS AJAX AMSTERDAM DANIEL KOFI KYEREH – FC ST. PAULI
MUBARAK WAKASO – SHENZHEN FC
WINGERS
JOSEPH PAINTSIL – KRC GENK ANDRE AYEW – AL-SADD SC
AUGUSTINE OKRAH BECHEM UNITED KAMALDEEN SULEMANA STADE RENNES YAW YEBOAH COLUMBUS CREW
OSMAN BUKARI – FC NANTES
ABDUL FATAWU ISSAHAKU SPORTING LISBON
CHRISTOPHER ANTWI AGYEI – VFL BOCHUM
STRIKERS
JORDAN AYEW – CRYSTAL PALACE DANIEL AFRIYIE HEARTS OF OAK
FELIX AFENA-GYAN AS ROMA
KWESI OKYERE WRIEDT HOLSTEIN KIEL BRAYDON MANU – SV DARMSTADT
ANTOINE SEMENYO – BRISTOL CITY BENJAMIN TETTEH – YENI MALATYASPOR
